WHEN Jeopardy! champion Grant DeYoung used a chair during his recent four-day run, viewers stood up and noticed. However, the Arizona grocery clerk's request to sit while competing has been granted before, and Jeopardy! producers stress there is nothing against asking for a seat. During his time on the show, Grant won four contests and took home $81,203.
He also had fans clamoring about how he competed sitting in a chair instead of standing. Grant sat in a black swivel chair with silver armrests and full back support, adjusted to the same height as his standing opponents. After facing curious questions from fans, Grant took it upon himself to share why he was sitting on Reddit.
He explained that he has arthritis, and producers gave him a chair so he could play at his best . "They give it if you ask," he wrote. "I have some back arthritis that makes standing still for that long very difficult.
" And he's not the first one to request an accommodation due to injury or disability. "I wouldn't expect everyone who sits for Jeopardy! to disclose their reason for needing one, but I don't mind saying mine," Grant added. While contestants typically stand throughout the game show , fans may recall 2024 Tournament of Champions finalist Troy Meyer sitting for his games.
It's a rarely-used accommodation, but Jeopardy! bosses have previously explained that the choice is given to everyone . "We would never make people stand, and you'll see in the coming weeks that we had a contestant who did .
